Non-elected Members of the States Assembly: The Bailiff

Did you know that there are five positions within the States Assembly that are not held by an elected Member?

The people who hold these positions are instead appointed by the Crown and the roles are included in the Assembly for very important, and often historical, reasons.

Perhaps the most visible of these non-elected Members is the Bailiff – and that isn’t just because the post holder wears a bright red robe.

The role of Bailiff

It’s impossible to say for certain when the role of Bailiff was introduced to Jersey but what is generally accepted is that it has been around for centuries.

Historic records suggest that Bailiffs were appointed by the Dukes of Normandy to help govern and apply justice in specific areas, which were known as Bailiwicks. As Jersey was part of Normandy from 933 to 1204, it is very likely the Island had its own Bailiff during that period although the earliest available record of one being appointed dates to 1277.

At that time, the Bailiff was responsible for the civil administration of the Island and for administering justice, which he did alongside 12 elected Jurats. It meant that the Royal Court was not only the law-enforcing body but also the law-making body, although any changes to the law could only be achieved by petitioning the King.

Over time, it became customary for the Royal Court to consult the Constables and Rectors of the 12 parishes before petitioning the King, and by the end of the 15th century that process had become more formal, resulting in the establishment of the Assembly of the States of Jersey – or the States Assembly as it’s known today.

As one had emerged from the other, it was only natural that the Bailiff presided over both bodies, and this position continues today.


Presiding over the States Assembly

The Bailiff is appointed by the King as President of the States and acts as its presiding officer, or speaker.

As Presiding Officer, the Bailiff is responsible for ruling on whether a proposition or question from a Member meets the standards agreed by the Assembly and can be put forward. The Bailiff is also responsible for applying the rules of the Assembly (known as Standing Orders) to proceedings, ensuring that Meetings run smoothly, and announcing the results of votes.

I think the challenges are really to ensure that you make decisions quickly and to get those decisions right. That’s what Members expect.

 

Robert MacRae, Jersey’s Bailiff

As a symbol of the importance of the role within the Chamber, the Bailiff’s seat in the States Chamber is 18cm (7 inches) higher than the Lieutenant-Governor’s chair, and higher still than elected Members’ seats.

The Royal Mace

On 28 November 1663, Jersey’s loyalty to the English Crown was recognised by the Monarch.
During the English Civil War (1642-1651) the Prince of Wales, who would eventually become King Charles II, sought refuge in the Island and in 1649 Jersey became the first place to proclaim him as King following the execution of his father – some 11 years before England did.

To show his affection for the Island, the King gifted the Royal Mace to the Bailiff of Jersey upon his restoration to the throne. The gold staff, which is almost 1.5m (5ft) long and weighs nearly 7kg (15lb), is made up of 11 pieces of silver gilt and is decorated with crosses, cherubs, fleur-de-lys, roses and thistles.

King Charles II’s affection can be seen in the Latin inscription at the base of the shaft, which starts with the words ‘Not all doth he deem worthy of such a reward.’

The Bailiff remains the custodian of the Royal Mace, and it is carried before him at sittings of the Royal Court and meetings of the States Assembly as a symbol of the Island’s ancient link with the Crown to this day.

As a matter of law, if I want to, I can take it home, but I won’t be doing that. It’ll remain safely locked in this building and retained until the next Bailiff has custody of it.

 

Robert MacRae, Jersey’s Bailiff

Meet Jersey’s 91st Bailiff: Robert MacRae

Robert MacRae was sworn in as Bailiff on 24 October 2025. He grew up in Jersey and went to La Moye Primary School, Victoria College Prep, and Victoria College. After studying law at the University of Exeter, he worked as a barrister in Devon and Cornwall for a decade before moving back to Jersey to begin a legal career here.

Some fun facts:

• He takes his tea black – and drinks a lot of it!
• He swims in the sea every weekend, all year round.
• He wishes he spoke better French.
• He likes dance music, the kind you’d hear on BBC Radio 1.
• His fantasy dinner table guests would be Queen Elizabeth I, William Shakespeare, and one of his ancestors from the 18th or 19th century.
• He can cook lasagne and risotto and takes charge of the ham at Christmas.